For all of the legendary Kevin Keegan‘s greatness, he only ever played 26 minutes at the World Cup, and the 1982 competition turned out to be a missed chance for England.
Italy and West Germany contested the 1982 World Cup Final at the Bernabeu, having beaten Poland and France in the semi-finals, respectively. The latter’s penalty shootout win was overshadowed by goalkeeper Harald Schumacher’s horrific challenge on Patrick Battiston.
The final itself was a one-sided affair, with the Azzurri cruising to a 3-0 win. Paolo Rossi, voted the best player at the tournament, opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the competition, before Marco Tardelli doubled the lead. His celebration remains one of the most iconic in World Cup history.
Alessandro Altobelli added a third before Paul Breitner netted a late consolation for West Germany. It was Italy’s third World Cup triumph at the time – their fourth would come 24 years later in Germany.
The England team who beat France 3-1 in the opening Group 4 match of the 1982 World Cup finals in Bilbao, Spain.
Ron Greenwood’s England side, featuring Liverpool players Phil Neal, Phil Thompson and Terry McDermott, progressed through the first group stage with wins over France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait.
Their journey was to end in the second group stage, though, as West Germany pipped the Three Lions to top spot so progressed to the semis.
Kevin Keegan’s missed header in Madrid
England manager Ron Greenwood deep in conversation with his captain Kevin Keegan during a training session.
By this stage of his career, Kevin Keegan was arguably past his peak.
His great days at Liverpool and Hamburg had been and gone. Now, at 31 years old, he was now plying his trade at Southampton but remained a key player for England.
Sadly for the Reds legend, he picked up a serious back injury prior to the tournament which further delayed him making his first ever appearance at a World Cup.
England’s failure to qualify for both the 1974 and 1978 tournaments meant he didn’t properly grace football’s greatest competition in his prime.
Despite his injury, Keegan was still named England’s official captain, but he didn’t play at all in the first round and in the end, the striker played just 26 minutes in total.
England 0-0 Spain
July 5, 1982 | Bernabeu, Madrid
Lineups & Substitutions
England (4-4-2)
22. Shilton
12. Mills
18. Thompson
4. Butcher
17. Sansom
8. Francis
16. Robson
19. Wilkins
15. Rix (Off 63′)
11. Mariner
21. Woodcock (Off 64′)
Subs:
3. Brooking (On 63′)
7. Keegan (On 64′)
Spain (4-4-2)
1. Arconada
12. Urquiaga
5. Tendillo (Off 73′)
6. Alexanko
3. Gordillo
2. Camacho
4. Alonso
10. Zamora
15. Saura (Off 67′)
19. Santillana
9. Satrustegui
Subs:
18. Uralde (On 67′)
14. Maceda (On 73′)
Keegan’s minutes came in a vital game against hosts Spain, one which England had to win by two clear goals in order to qualify for the semi-finals.
With the score deadlocked at 0-0 and time ticking away, substitute Keegan had a glorious chance to put England ahead, but he glanced his header wide with the goal gaping.
It was a moment that summed up Keegan’s misfortune on the international stage and Greenwood’s men could only draw the game.
Had he converted his chance, there was every possibility that the Three Lions would have got a second and progressed, but as it was, the tournament was to be remembered most vividly by England fans for Keegan’s miss.
Player Nation Tournament Exit
Alan Hansen Scotland First Group Stage
Graeme Souness Scotland First Group Stage
Kenny Dalglish Scotland First Group Stage
Phil Neal England Second Group Stage
Phil Thompson England Second Group Stage
Terry McDermott England Second Group Stage